The Governor’s Race: Where NC Candidates Stand on Adult-Use vs. Medical?

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The Governor’s Race: Where NC Candidates Stand on Adult-Use vs. Medical?

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Current Cannabis Policy in North Carolina

Before looking at the candidates, it is important to understand the current situation in North Carolina.

Legal Landscape

North Carolina is one of the few states in the U.S. that has not legalized medical marijuana or adult-use cannabis. While traditional high-THC marijuana remains illegal under state law, hemp and certain hemp-derived products are sold freely under the federal 2018 Farm Bill. This has created an unregulated market for intoxicating products, such as Delta-8 and THCA gummies or vapes.

Cannabis Council

In mid-2025, Democratic Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order to create the North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis. This council is tasked with studying how to regulate the market, protect young people, and provide recommendations on:

Adult-use legalization
Public health safeguards
Expungement of low-level possession convictions

Governor Stein has publicly supported regulating cannabis for adults 21 and older, provided there are proper safety measures. However, for any of these changes to become law, the North Carolina General Assembly must take action.

Bill Proposals Signal Legislative Interest

Meanwhile, legislators introduced bills like the Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act (H.B. 413) in 2025. If passed, this bill would allow adults 21 and older to buy, sell, grow, and use cannabis under a regulated system that includes provisions for expungement. Although the bill has not moved forward, its introduction shows that some lawmakers are interested in a broader path toward legalization.

Major Candidates’ Positions

Here is the breakdown of the public positions of the frontrunners and other notable participants in the governor’s contest on cannabis reform.

Josh Stein (Democrat – Incumbent Governor)

Here’s how Governor Josh Stein’s record and public statements shape the current direction of cannabis policy in North Carolina.

Adult-Use and Regulation

Governor Stein, who won the 2024 election and is seeking reelection in 2026, has taken active steps toward cannabis reform. He created a state advisory council to study:

Comprehensive regulation
Adult-use legalization
Safety standards and youth protections

Stein believes adults should be able to use cannabis responsibly. He emphasizes the need for rules that prevent minors from accessing products and ensure their safety.

Medical Cannabis and Justice Reform

Stein also supports:

Medical cannabis access
Decriminalization of simple possession
Record expungement for past convictions

His positions align with polls showing that most North Carolinians support medical marijuana.

Mark Robinson (Republican Challenger)

It is important to look at Mark Robinson’s views on marijuana to understand the policy divide in this race.

Opposition to Recreational Marijuana

Mark Robinson is the former lieutenant governor who lost to Stein in 2024. He is expected to run again in 2026. He strongly opposes legalizing marijuana for recreational use. He argues that adult-use policies are harmful and reckless for the state.

Hesitancy on Medical Marijuana

Robinson has mixed views on medical marijuana. He has listened to personal stories from people who use it for health reasons. However, he has often resisted formal legalization. He worries that a medical program would lead to full recreational use.

Other Candidates and Voices

Because it is early in the 2026 governor’s cycle, many candidates have not yet shared detailed plans. However, there are a few clear trends:

Republican Skepticism

Republicans in North Carolina generally remain skeptical of full legalization. Instead of broad reform, many GOP lawmakers focus on:

Stricter regulation of existing THC products.
Preventing sales to anyone under 21.
Safety standards for hemp-derived goods.

Cannabis as a Health and Safety Issue

Leaders from across the political spectrum are starting to focus on public health and criminal justice. Even those who oppose recreational use often agree that the state needs:

New rules to manage the unregulated THC market.
Safety safeguards for consumers.
Response to federal changes in drug policy.

Adult-Use vs Medical: Key Differences in Debate

To fully understand the stakes of the governor’s race, it is important to look at how the debate over medical cannabis differs from the push for adult-use legalization.

Medical Cannabis: Compassion vs Caution

Advocates often view medical cannabis as a health care issue. They believe patients with conditions like cancer, epilepsy, or chronic pain should have legal access to it.

In North Carolina, polls show that most people support medical marijuana. This includes many conservative voters.

However, opponents have several concerns:

Safety rules: They worry about how the state would regulate the products.
Dosing: They are concerned about ensuring patients get the right amounts.
Diversion: They fear medical marijuana might be sold or used for recreational purposes.

Because of these concerns, some lawmakers who want to regulate THC products still do not support full legalization for all adults.

Adult-Use Legalization: Broader Reform

The debate over legalizing marijuana for all adults goes beyond health care and focuses on the following key areas:

Regulation and Taxes: Creating a legal market would allow the state to tax sales. This money could be used for schools or public services. It would also set safety rules for products.
Criminal Justice Reform: Legalization often includes "expungement." This means clearing the records of people with nonviolent possession charges to help them find jobs and housing.
Public Health Concerns: People who oppose legalization worry it could lead to more young people using marijuana, more impaired driving, and higher addiction rates.

Governor Stein’s advisory council includes many different experts. Their goal is to find a balance between these different benefits and risks.

What the 2026 Election Means for Cannabis Reform

As the campaign continues, the 2026 governor’s race could decide the future of cannabis in North Carolina.

Ballot Measures and Legislative Momentum

Early signs show that the 2026 election could include votes on cannabis policy through new laws or citizen-led measures. While North Carolina does not currently have a measure like this scheduled, other states might. This nationwide push for reform could eventually influence both voters and lawmakers in North Carolina.

A Turning Point for North Carolina Policy

North Carolina has historically resisted legal marijuana. The race for governor in 2026 may finally change that. This election could decide if the state adopts a new system or continues to use minor, temporary rules for hemp and THC.

Governor Josh Stein supports careful, broad regulation. His Republican opponents mostly oppose recreational use. Because of these different views, the 2026 election will likely determine the future of cannabis policy in North Carolina.

Conclusion

The 2026 governor’s race in North Carolina is a key moment for cannabis policy. Governor Josh Stein supports regulated adult use and better medical access. Conservative challengers disagree with recreational use and are cautious about medical changes.

The election will decide if North Carolina follows national trends or keeps its current laws. As the campaign continues, voters will choose between reform and concerns about public health and safety.